Nine Common Words Leaders Should Stop Using (And What To Say Instead)

When you spend time in the business leadership world, you start to hear a lot of cliché phrases and vague terms that other managers frequently use. Sometimes they use them to sound smart; other times, they're just not sure of a better alternative. Either way, these overused words begin to sound like jargon over time and may lose their meaning when you're communicating with your staff.

We asked nine members of the Young Entrepreneur Council to each share one-word leaders often use, but shouldn't. Here are some keywords and phrases to avoid as a manager, along with a few suggested terms to use instead.

Young Entrepreneur Council members say these phrases should be avoided by leaders. Young Entrepreneur Council members say these phrases should be avoided by leaders. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

Should

I’m a direct person with my team and feel that using the word "should" can be ambiguous and leave your team members wondering what you really meant. For example, if you say, “Don’t you think we should do that,” depending on the level of confidence the person has and their relationship with you, it will most likely lead them to just agree when they really don’t. I would simply say, "Let’s do X, because of Y. Do you agree or disagree and why?" - Jennifer A Barnes, Optima Office, Inc

Read all 9 keywords and phrases to avoid as a manager - Forbes